Raffy R. Luquis, interim director of the School of Behavioral Sciences and Education and professor of biobehavioral health at Penn State Harrisburg
MIDDLETOWN, Pa. — Raffy R. Luquis, interim director of the School of Behavioral Sciences and Education and professor of biobehavioral health at Penn State Harrisburg, will be awarded the Distinguished Fellow Award from the Society for Public Health Education (SOPHE) during the organization’s annual conference in April.
“I am honored to receive the Distinguished Fellow award this year,” Luquis said in a news release from SOPHE. “I am also thankful to all my colleagues who took their time to submit the nomination and letters of support. I will always be grateful.”
The award recognizes a national SOPHE member who has made significant and lasting contributions to SOPHE and the profession of health education or public health, demonstrated through exemplary scholarship and community service, according to the organization.
Luquis focuses his research on cultural competency among health professionals and multicultural health and health equity, with an emphasis on health issues affecting the Latino/Hispanic population. He is the co-editor of the book “Cultural Competence in Health Education and Health Promotion” and has numerous publications and national presentations at conferences in his areas of expertise.
He has served in leadership roles with the Society for Public Health Education, the PA Governor’s Advisory Commission on Latino Affairs, the Latino Hispanic Professional Association, the PA Family Support Alliance, and the Latino Hispanic American Community Center.
Luquis’ belief in the importance of community service in public health made him an ideal choice for the award, according to SOPHE.
“Throughout my career, I have strived to do my best to serve others,” he said. “This is especially important in the field of public health education where we are often serving on behalf of members of underrepresented communities. We are often the voice who advocates on their behalf. I am glad to be part of a larger group of public health professionals who serve the diverse population we represent.”
SOPHE will present Luquis’ award and others during the 2025 SOPHE Annual Conference, scheduled for April 16-18 in Long Beach, California.
